MINNESOTA RECREATION & PARKS VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 1 • WINTER 2022
Second Chance Playgrounds How Kids Around the World gives new life to playgrounds
Themed Playgrounds An interview with Landscape Structures’ creative director
THE PLAYGROUND ISSUE
SHAPING THE WAY FAMILIES
Destination Playgrounds Creating spaces that attract both residents and visitors
PLAY ALSO INSIDE:
• Unique Ice Rinks in Minnesota • Continuing Education Survey • MRPF Year in Review
www.mnrpa.org
YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR
PLAYGROUND MAINTENANCE
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MINNESOTA RECREATION & PARKS Publisher Minnesota Recreation and Park Association 200 Charles Street NE, Fridley, MN 55432 www.mnrpa.org Tel: 763.571.1305 An affiliate of National Recreation and Park Association
Editorial Staff Michelle J. Snider Bethani Gerhard Editorial Board Scott Berggren, Crystal Jennifer Fink, New Brighton Lori Hokenson, New Brighton John W. Stutzman, Golden Valley Advertising Sales & Design Todd Pernsteiner Pernsteiner Creative Group todd@pernsteiner.com 952.841.1111 MRPA Board of Directors 2022 President: Ross Demant, Otsego President-Elect: Jerome Krieger, Blaine Past President: Chuck Stifter, Maple Grove Secretary: Annie Olson, Minneapolis Treasurer: Ben Boldt, Rochester RSC Chair: Scott Heitkamp, Burnsville East Metro: Andrew Pimental, Eagan East Metro: Becky Sola, Shoreview East Metro: Reed Smidt, Woodbury Northeast Region: Tonya Love, Elk River Northwest Region: Marcia Larson, Bemidji Southern Region: Joey Schugel, St. Peter West Metro: Nicole Gorman, Edina West Metro: Mike Ramirez, Brooklyn Park West Metro: Jason T. West, St. Louis Park This magazine is the official quarterly publication of Minnesota Recreation and Park Association and is provided complimentary to members as part of their MRPA membership. The editorial board encourages the submission of articles and photos for publication by agency members. Articles of approximately 500-700 words or less may be submitted, but may be edited for length and clarity. Contact Michelle Snider, MRPA, at 763.571.1305 x100 if interested in submitting an article for a future issue. Articles and Advertising Deadlines Spring 2022 Issue............................ March 2, 2022 Summer 2022 issue...........................May 22, 2022 Fall 2022 issue..............................August 27, 2022 Winter 2023 issue.................. December 28, 2022 MRPA reserves the right to approve all submitted advertising in MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks magazine. All requests for advertising should be made to Todd Pernsteiner, Account Manager, at 952.841.1111 or todd@pernsteiner.com.
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WATCH WWW.MNRPA.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION & UPDATES.
TABLE OF CONTENTS From the Past President..................................4 MRPA in Action................................................6 Keeping Up....................................................7-9 MRPF Corner..................................................10 Trends and Topics in Education.............. 12-13 Shaping the Way Families Play Second Chance Playgrounds...............15-17 Themed Playgrounds........................... 18-20 Destination Playgrounds..................... 24-30 Playground Resources.......................... 32-33 Ice Breakers - Ice Rinks & Programs Maple Grove’s Skating Loop............... 34-36 Movies on Ice in New Hope......................37 Wheelchair Curling in Chaska.............38-40 2022 MRPA Corporate Members.................42
On the cover: A repurposed playground gets a new life in Uganda.
Winter 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 3
FROM THE PAST PRESIDENT By Chuck Stifter, MRPA Past President
In my final message as MRPA President, I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge the great work of the 2021 Board of Directors, the MRPA staff, and the many MRPA member volunteers who have supported and advanced the association this past year. MRPA has once again proven that a association of passionate and dynamic professionals can provide exceptional service to the membership.
2021
MINNESOTA RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL REPORT
PRESENTED TO MEMBERSHIP DURING THE MRPA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2022
APPLE VALLEY SENIOR & EVENT CENTER
MRPA’s Mission
To improve the quality of life in Minnesota by enhancing the profession of parks, open space, recreation, and leisure services.
•
I encourage you to review the 2021 Annual Report posted on the MRPA website. Michelle and her team have prepared a synopsis of this year’s highlights. In the report you will find: •
A legislative platform summary that continues its advocacy for the great work of the parks and recreation profession.
The new and improved MRPA website providing for easier user navigation and loads of new and pertinent information for the membership.
• Recognition of the exceptional Mentorship Program providing for meaningful connections between new and seasoned professionals. •
The financial summary outlining growth and recovery of the MRPA.
•
A number of credible educational programs providing opportunities to keep our membership fresh and relevant with new and established practices.
•
The North Star Partnership Opportunities which reached a new level of commitment from our corporate sponsors in 2021.
•
A summary of the Annual Conference and Exhibit Hall, led by an amazing team, which exceeded expectations and returned this valued event back to a prepandemic state.
I also want to acknowledge the work of the Member Resources Network, which created a new path for member input in the form of listening sessions. The Board is eager to continue this work in 2022 to support the voice of the membership. Congratulations to the 2021 Meritorious Service Award recipients and the Presidential Citation Award recipients. Your outstanding commitment and leadership demonstrate the future of our membership remains bright. Thank you to Executive Director Michelle Snider and her team of Deb Weinreis and Bethani Gerhard for your solid and consistent support of the MRPA Board and membership. Your continuity makes this organization a success. As I slide out of my presidential duties and into my new duties as past president, I look forward to another year of service to the membership supporting President Ross Demant and the incoming Board members and of course you, the MRPA membership.
S AV E T H E DAT E : O C T. 1 1 - 1 4 , 2 0 2 2 Cragun’s Resort and Conference Center • Brainerd Watch www.mmrpa.org for details. 4 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
Thank you for the opportunity. It has been my great pleasure to serve you in this capacity. Chuck
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Winter 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 5
MRPA IN ACTION
MRPA Mentorship Program The MRPA Mentorship Program, sponsored by the MRPA Young Professional and Student Network, was formed to help park and recreation students and professionals grow professionally in the field through meaningful connections. The program enables students and career professionals to be paired with an experienced or distinguished professional for an experience that will last a lifetime. The mentorship program committee reviewed 40 applications and were able to produce 20 pairs for the program’s first year in 2021. In 2022, the mentorship program committee was able to produce 24 pairs for the program’s second year. The mentors and mentees had their first virtual meeting on January 21, 2022 after the MRPA Annual General Meeting. MRPA extends a special thank you to mentorship committee members John Stutzman, Meredith Lawrence, Jenna Smith, and Jessica Christensen Buck.
SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW:
JESSICA CHRISTENSEN BUCK Jessica Christensen Buck became interested in parks and recreation during college. “I went with someone to a majors fair when I attended Minnesota State University Mankato (MSU),” says Christensen Buck. “That’s where I met Kristi Montandon and she told me about the possibilities a career in parks and recreation could include.” She adds, “The recreation, parks and leisure services program at MSU requires an internship for graduation and I completed mine with the City of Bloomington. Following that, I stayed on staff with the City of Bloomington part-time, as well as joining the cities of Golden Valley, Richfield, Plymouth, and Corcoran before my position with Corcoran went full-time. I’ve been the recreation coordinator with Corcoran full-time since February of 2020.” Christensen Buck has been a member of MRPA since 2015 and has attended the annual conference for the past six years. She states, “For three of those years, I volunteered at the conference in a variety of roles. In 2017, I was on the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation silent auction and raffle committee member. This past conference, I served as the co-chair for the virtual support committee. In 2021, I was the chair-elect for Young Professional and Student Network (YPSN) and will become the chair for 2022. Beginning in 2022, I’ll be on the Board of Trustees for the Foundation.” According to Christensen Buck, MRPA provides so many opportunities to connect with others that are in the field and learn from their experiences. “MRPA makes connecting and reaching out to others in the field that much easier,” she adds. “The opportunities to continue to grow are constantly within reach between the conference, networks, and various seminars throughout the year. Parks and recreation as a whole, provides similar opportunities for those participating and engaging in the activities – they provide people the opportunity to learn, grow, and socialize – it comes full circle!” MRPA members are the heart of our organization. They are involved and committed to advancing the parks and recreation programming. MRPA in Action is a new magazine feature which will highlight one section/committee and one professional per issue.
6 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
KEEPING UP
Matt Colwell Receives National Recreation and Park Association’s 30 Under 30 Honor Congratulations to Matt Colwell from the City of New Brighton for receiving the 30 Under 30 for 2022 from National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Colwell began working for the City of New Brighton, as a temporary staffer in the agency’s Mission Possible program. This new program offered students, whose guardians couldn’t work from home during the pandemic, a place to do online learning while their caretakers were away. His impressive work earned him an internship, which led to a full-time position as sports and aquatics specialist. NRPA’s Young Professional Network (YPN) and Parks & Recreation magazine recently presented “30 Under 30.” This recognition program is a joint effort by the YPN and the NRPA magazine to recognize 30 of the top young professionals whose work and contributions have made a lasting difference in their communities. More than 100 nominations were received, forming a diverse group of nominees from 27 different states.
Annual General Meeting Goes Virtual Minnesota Recreation and Park Association held its virtual annual general meeting on January 21, 2022. The professional awards ceremony has been postponed to the spring. MRPA will honor the following outstanding parks and recreation professionals at the MRPA Professional Awards Ceremony: • CLIFTON E. FRENCH AWARD Tom Schmitz, New Ulm • JACK NILES AWARD Alex McKinney, Washington County • DOROTHEA NELSON AWARD Marcia Larson, Bemidji Becky Sola, Shoreview • HORIZON AWARD Jenna Smith, Bloomington • BOARD AND COMMISSION AWARD Thomas P. Anderson, Corcoran
MRPA Awards of Excellence Deadline is February 28 Nominations are now being accepted for the MRPA Awards of Excellence program. This program recognizes agencies in Minnesota for outstanding achievements in parks, recreation, and leisure services for projects completed in 2021. All nominations must be submitted by the application deadline of February 28, 2022. Visit https://mnrpa.org/ Award-Opportunities for application links and information. 1 MINNESOTA Recreation
and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
M INNESOTA REC REATIO N & PAR KS VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 4
• FALL 2021
2021
RECOGNIZING MINNESOTA ORGANIZATIONS FOR OUTSTAN AGENCIES AND DING ACHIEVEM
ENTS
ALSO INSIDE:
• Art Where We Play • 2021 Annual Conference in Review • CorporateConnections: Specialty Product & Service Providers
www.mnrpa.org
Stay Connected on Social Media
As a reminder, MRPA has a Facebook page called MRPA Connections for members to collaborate and share ideas. To join this group visit facebook. com/groups/676051986646073/ In addition, MRPA member Stacy Chouinard with the City of Crystal manages a group called the City Run Recreation Content Creators – MN. This group is for those who want to share posts and help others with their social media content creation. To join this group visit facebook.com/ groups/1418172651970170/
DONATING TO MRPF HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER! 1. Shop for your Amazon purchases at: smile.amazon.com. 2. Designate Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation as your beneficiary. A portion of your purchase proceeds automatically go to MRPF!
Winter 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 7
KEEPING UP
USA Today Readers Vote Water Works a 2021 “Top New Attraction” By Janette Law, Minneapolis Parks Foundation
Water Works brings significant new historic, cultural, and recreational amenities to one of the most visited and iconic areas in Minneapolis. The new park amenities were made possible by the Minneapolis Parks Foundation’s $18.1 million RiverFirst Capital Campaign and our partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. “Water Works has been a wonderful success so far and I’m pleased to see so many people out enjoying the new riverfront space,” says Al Bangoura, Minneapolis Parks Superintendent. “I’d like to thank
the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and its supporters, who appreciate the shared benefit of thoughtfully designed riverfront parks.” “Water Works is located at one of the most culturally and spiritually significant locations on the Mississippi River and the design honors our region’s history and our promise,” adds Tom Evers, Executive Director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. “This recognition is shared with countless people who helped bring the site into reality. I hope everyone who visits Minneapolis has a chance to visit and connect to the stories Water Works has to offer and gains a deeper connection to the people who live here.” Discover the park’s range of visitor amenities – including the groundbreaking Owamni by The Sioux Chef restaurant – by visiting the Minneapolis Park Board’s Water Works Park and Water Works Pavilion pages on their website at minneapolisparks.org/parks__ destinations.
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Water Works Park and Pavilion has been named one of the nation’s “10 Best New Attractions 2021” by readers of USA Today. We’re grateful to all of you – supporters, donors, partners, and friends – who joined us in supporting the most exciting new park in Minneapolis. Thanks to your votes, Water Works made the top 10 from a shortlist of 20 nationally significant destinations and experiences selected by a panel of USA Today experts and editors.
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8 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
NEW
KEEPING UP
Innovation in Park Design Award The City of St. Louis Park received the Innovation in Park Design award the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in 2021 for Westwood Hills Nature Center Interpretive Center. This award recognizes a park and recreation agency that manages a unique park or facility that embraces innovative technology, strategies or programs to improve their community. The NRPA Innovation Awards recognize and honor the latest advancements in the field of parks and recreation. These awards showcase the inspiring park and recreation agencies that have improved and empowered their communities through innovative practices in park design, health and wellness, conservation, and social equity. The 2022 application period is January 7 - March 25 for NRPA awards. Visit nrpa. org for further information.
OTA INNES M N & PA RK S RE CR EATIO VOLUME 16 |
ISSUE 2 • SPRING
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VOLUME 16 |
ISSUE 3 • SUMMER
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Minnesota Recreation & Parks Magazine Connects MRPA Professionals and Suppliers
2021
MRPA Race and Equity Advisory Committee Survey Results In Minnesota , Exceptional Golf is Par for the Course
To see previous issues on MRPA’s new website, scan the QR code or visit mnrpa.org/Publications.
ALSO INSIDE:
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www.mnrpa.org
Park and Recreation Suppliers: Interested in information about advertising? Contact Todd Pernsteiner to learn about value-added packages at todd@pernsteiner.com or (952) 841-1111.
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Winter 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 9
FOUNDATION CORNER
MRPF Year in Review By Mike Ramirez, Foundation President
What a year. I would say that most of us thought that 2020 was the worst of these strange times, but as we’ve all witnessed 2021 took Lee Corso’s words out of his mouth and said, “not so fast, my friends.” 2021 was a year full of civil unrest, elevated violence, and new variants of Covid-19. All of this led to creative approaches to opening for business, while implementing measures to ensure our residents and users felt safe and comfortable participating in our programs. I am consistently in awe of the great professionals in our industry that continue to innovate to serve Minnesotans superbly. The Foundation was privileged to honor Marcia Bach with the 2020 Ed Brandeen Cornerstone Award at the MRPA Annual Conference in front of her friends and colleagues in October 2021. Marcia served on the MRPF Board for over 30 years during her 50 years in the industry and continues to serve as an ambassador of the Foundation. We will always be grateful for Marcia’s devotion to the Board and profession. Further, the Foundation continues to award New Initiative Grants and student scholarships this year. These are always fun to award, as it takes dedication to be inventive and apply. We want to thank all those who helped with the application and screening process as we truly could not do this work without our members. Congratulations to the recipients of a New Initiative Grant or student scholarship. If you are looking for support to help fund a network event, in or out of state conference or training, or you are a professional looking for some assistance to earn an advanced degree please submit a written request to the Board for consideration. For the first time since Microsoft Excel became a thing, the Foundation converted our accounting practices to a new software, QuickBooks. This has allowed us to better serve our members and automate our budgeting practices. For the first time, members were able to receive an emailed a membership renewal invoice and pay online! Members loved being able to pay with a credit card, PayPal or ApplePay. Look
for the Foundation to continue to harness new technology in the future. In 2021 we had a record number 11 members running for one of four seats on the Board of Trustees. With this, we had an outstanding voter turnout. The newly elected members to serve on the Board from 2022-2024 are Jessica Christensen Buck, John Elholm, Joey Schugel, and returning Board member, Lisa Abernathy. We are excited to welcome them on to continue working to serve the Foundation’s mission and vision. With new trustees coming in, we have to say goodbye to those rolling off the board. We want to extend a big thank you to Mary Jo Knudson and Jay Lotthammer for their service over the past three years. They worked in tandem to advance the Foundation’s strategic plan to guide us into the future. Mike Ramirez will also be stepping away from Foundation leadership. He led the annual Silent Auction and Raffle efforts from 2017-2019, served as the vicepresident in 2020, and most recently served as the 2021 Board president. The Foundation is exploring new ways to connect professionals with social and networking events in 2022. We want to hear from the membership to best serve you. If you have great ideas or are looking to get involved with one of the Foundation’s committees, please reach out to one of the Board members.
Why become a member of MRPF? The Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the state solely dedicated to promoting excellence in the parks and recreation profession, and we take pride in supporting our members and the profession. The Foundation provides annual scholarships and grants for our members, organizations, and students. We also provide support for professionals seeking continuing education opportunities by providing grants. Organizations who are trying to develop new initiatives are eligible for financial support to start the programs. Student members in a recreation field are
10 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
encouraged to apply for the scholarship opportunities. Most of all, the Foundation’s primary objective is to support the education, innovation, and training for all members in our profession! Did you know that you can be a Lifetime member of MRPF? It’s true! You can forego remembering to pay your dues each year with a onetime payment of $1,000. A big push for 2022 is to identify all the Foundation’s Lifetime members and recognize them on the Foundation’s website. We want to thank those that have supported us over the years. Your generous support goes a long way to continue the pursuit of the mission and vision of the Foundation. If you are a lifetime member not identified, please reach out to one of the trustees to be recognized. Membership with the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation provides eligibility for these programs and the benefits they bring to your state, your community, your department, and your profession. Memberships run with the calendar year.
Membership dues are: • Professional........................... $25 • Retiree.................................... $20 • Undergrad
student................$10
• Lifetime............................. $1,000
The Minnesota Recreation & Park Foundation (MRPF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Minnesota by supporting recreation and parks through education, networking opportunities, programming grants, student and professional continuing education scholarships, and providing support to the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association. Our primary objective is to support the education, innovation, and training of all recreation professionals and students. Learn more at www.mnrpf.org.
800-677-5153
Visit us at webberrec.com or just scan the QR code!
Trends and Topics in Continuing Education Survey By Michelle Margo, MA, Lana L. Huberty, PhD, and Brooke Burk, PhD Welcome to the New Year, a time for innovative and fresh ideas for elevating park and recreation professionals through professional development. In the past two years, higher education institutions have reacted to COVID by offering online and hybrid options to the traditional face-to-face courses. With the new delivery format options, higher education institutions can now reach more individuals to assist them with meeting their professional career goals. What institutions of higher education have learned throughout COVID instruction is that education must be flexible to meet unique demands of working professionals, adaptable to adjust to the learning environments for students around the world, and provide relevant, real-world application of new knowledge and theory in a competence-based setting. In recognition of this need, the authors engaged in a research project that was intended to examine the skills or knowledge that recreation and park professionals seek to advance goals (for themselves as well as those they work with).
Where we were… Many practitioners working in the recreation and leisure studies field are seeking opportunities to upgrade their skills, knowledge, and capacity in the context of their work. The impetus to do so stems from several factors, including the increased professionalization of recreation and leisure careers, the growing need to possess diverse and adaptable skills, the loss of fulltime public recreation positions, and increased competition for jobs in the field. For some, these changes lead them to pursue additional qualifications (e.g., degree completion programs; certificate programs) through postsecondary education. (McKeown & Rich, 2020). Other researchers examined the challenges to the status quo for current and prospective students (Gulley, 2021) which suggests there is an assumption in higher education that most students are roughly 1824 years and are attending four-year, residentially-focused institutions. Even the research on college students and
the theoretical underpinnings of how we manage our institutional systems is reliant on these assumptions. We are in a time when institutions (and systems) of higher education need to recognize the changing (well, in many ways, already changed) demographics of those we serve. This current research project specifically looked to examine the skills or knowledge that professionals seek to advance professional goals for themselves as well as those they work with and supervise.
What we collected… At the 2021 Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) Annual Conference, participants were asked to complete a Trends and Topics in Continuing Education Survey. The assessment tool was created in collaboration by the authors. This assessment was distributed online using a scan code and Qualtrics survey. The survey was a mixed-methods tool with simple demographic questions at the beginning. The survey was completed by 107 MRPA professional members responding. These professional members included park recreation employees, already working in the field, within the state of Minnesota.
12 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
In the past two years, higher education institutions have reacted to COVID y b ofe f ring online and y h brid options to the traditional a f ce-to-a f ce courses.
MRPA PROFESSIONALS
WE VALUE YOUR INPUT! Use the QR code to enter the survey Complete the survey Be entered into a drawing winner announced at Exhibit Hall Social
What we learned…
Conclusion:
The survey included two questions specific to skills/knowledge development: What professional skills or knowledge do you need to advance towards your professional goals? and what professional skills or knowledge do your staff need to advance towards their professional goals?
Keeping in mind these findings, leaders in the RPLS field, both professional and in higher education, can benefit from the following recommendations: • For those working within professional organizations such as
MRPA, continue to offer workshops and trainings in a variety of areas suggested by the survey respondents. • For those working in higher education, the option to have
online or hybrid courses is a must as professionals seek to complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Parks and recreation professionals should consider connecting with higher education institutions to develop training options and certifications in key areas such as Degree Completion and Event Management to fulfill the need for continuing education and skill building.
Learn more @ Exhibit Hall booth #59
According to the respondents of the survey, specialized education and knowledge; leadership and management skills; and marketing, communications, sponsorship, customer services, and referendum were the skill areas needed most by Minnesota park and recreation professionals. Specialized education and knowledge include undergraduate and graduate degrees, certifications, licenses and technological skills to support the profession. Leadership and management include, problem solving, critical thinking, innovation, conflict resolution, cultural competency, and empathy. Finally, marketing, communication, sponsorship, and customer service, would provide professionals with skills to connect and share information beyond those working in the field to advance the profession. The participants also stated that the skills and knowledge most needed by today’s parks and recreation professionals they supervise are communication skills including writing and public speaking, marketing and promotions, and personal skills such as problem-solving, time management, and reliability. They also desire employees with experiences with professional networking and a goal to pursue continuing education.
• Faculty should continue to examine their curriculum to ensure
what they are teaching is relevant to the skills needed for effective professional development within the field of sport, recreation, and parks. One key take-away from these findings, is the importance of personal skill development of those who are supervised. Employees can be guided in their skill development by also attending in-service trainings or by attending workshops at: MRPA, Minnesota Ice Arena Manager’s Association (MIAMA), Playground Certification, Minnesota Festival & Events Association (MNFEA) and other professional conferences to enhance the profession of parks, recreation, leisure services, and sport.
References: 1. Janet K. L. McKeown & Kyle Rich (2021) Exploring Work-Life Balance for Recreation and Leisure Professionals Enrolled in an Undergraduate Degree Pathway Program, SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education, 36:1-2, 91-104, DOI: 10.1080/1937156X.2020.1789012 2. Needham Yancey Gulley (2021) Challenging Assumptions: ‘Contemporary Students,’ ‘Nontraditional Students,’ ‘Adult Learners,’ ‘Post-Traditional,’ ‘New Traditional’, SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education, 36:1-2, 4-10, DOI: 10.1080/1937156X.2020.1760747
RPLS DAY FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022
CSU BALLROOM, MANKATO, MN
11am-4:30pm
We Invite You to... Celebrate All Things RPLS. This event will include: lunch, hot topics in RPLS, a discussion panel of current professionals, networking with students, and an awards reception.
More Information Coming Soon!
A member of the Minnesota State system and on Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity University. Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services at 507389-2127 (V) 800-627-3529 or 711 (MRS/TTY) at least 5 days prior to the event. This document is available in alternative format to individuals with disabilities by calling the above numbers. RPLSCR 02-22
Winter 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 13
SHAPING THE WAY FAMILIES
PLAY
CREATING UNIQUE PLAY ENVIRONMENTS LOCALLY & AROUND THE GLOBE
14 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
SECOND CHANCE
PLAYGROUNDS HOW KIDS AROUND THE WORLD GIVES NEW LIFE TO PLAY EQUIPMENT ACROSS THE GLOBE By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association
Children across the world can enjoy playgrounds, thanks to Kids Around the World, an Illinois-based non-profit that provides play structures to developing countries. Playgrounds that are about to be destroyed can be updated and shipped to areas where children have never had a playground. “These playgrounds are so much more than a playground to these children,” says Paul Bierhaus, Twin Cities Board member
for Kids Around the World. “These playgrounds change communities and offer children a safe place to play. They also provide a central and safe community gathering place for families.”
World has shipped hundreds of used playgrounds to 64 difference countries. The number will continue to climb as more communities learn of this great option for their playground equipment.
Launched in 1994, Kids Around the World initially focused on donating new playground equipment. The organization later decided to recycle playground equipment, rather than sending new equipment. Since 2011, Kids Around the
In 2010, the first playground in Minnesota to be torn-down and shipped by Kids Around the World was Shilo Park in Plymouth. The second playground was at Colby Lake in Woodbury. Both of these playground structures were sent on a truck
Winter 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 15
16 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
to Rockford, Illinois to be inventoried and safety inspected before being shipped to Poland for children to enjoy. “It was really revolutionary to the two cities in Poland,” says Bierhaus. “The people came together and took ownership of it.” The City of St. Louis Park repurposed the playground structures at Oak Hill Park and Aquilla Park. “St. Louis Park is a proud supporter of the Kids Around the World” program,” says Jason West, recreation superintendent for the City of St. Louis Park. “This program gives youth around the world the experience of play. It is so rewarding to see our play structures resurrected in locations such as Uganda, Jamaica, Cuba, Jordan, North Korea and Costa Rica. The St. Louis Park residents are always thrilled when we tell them which country their play structures are repurposed. We feel that it’s just the right thing to do and are very fortunate to be involved in a life changing program such as Kids Around the World.” In the past, the City of Eden Prairie worked with Kids Around the World to donate their playground at Round Lake. “That playground was shipped to Liberia, where children could enjoy the playground a second time around,” says Bierhaus. “It was the first playground the kids there had ever had.” Before Kids Around the World was an option for used playgrounds, many cities would recycle their structures as much as they could. But then the remaining part would be sent to the landfill. Most cities have liability and donation issues so Kids Around the World can work with them to provide donation agreements and certificates of insurance, according to Bierhaus. After the playgrounds are shipped to another country, Bierhaus typically flies there and works with volunteers who give their time and money to be a part of this experience. Kids Around the World does not do all this work alone. “We work with rotary clubs, church groups, and law enforcement contacts,” says Bierhaus. “We then join forces to make it all happen!” If your community is interested in recycling a playground structure, contact Paul Bierhaus at pobierhaus@aol.com or 612-239-8765.
BEFORE KIDS AROUND THE WORLD WAS AN OPTION FOR USED PLAYGROUNDS, MANY CITIES WOULD RECYCLE THEIR STRUCTURES AS MUCH AS THEY COULD. BUT THEN THE REMAINING PART WOULD BE SENT TO THE LANDFILL.
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Winter 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 17
THEMED
PLAYGROUNDS HEAR HOW LANDSCAPE STRUCTURES CONCEIVES THEIR ONE-OF-A-KIND DESIGNS By Scott Roschi, Landscape Structures and Todd Pernsteiner, Pernsteiner Creative Group
Savanna Playground, Gladstone
18 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
WHEN IT COMES TO CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION, MINNESOTA HAS LONG BEEN ON THE FOREFRONT OF DESIGN. WE’RE PROUD THAT ONE OF THESE INNOVATORS, LANDSCAPE STRUCTURES, CALLS THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES HOME. IF YOU WERE EVER CURIOUS ABOUT THE COMPANY’S CREATIVE PROCESS, NOW’S YOUR CHANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEMED PLAYGROUNDS FROM LSI’S CREATIVE DIRECTOR.
Scott Roschi
How do you become inspired when you being a new themed playground design? Inspiration comes from many places, but the best inspiration comes from a discovery session, a meeting with community members and stakeholders, where we get to hear the types of play experiences they want to have in their new playground. You hear the passion and emotion and outright joy, making it so easy to translate these voices and joy into play experiences for everyone.
What is your name and job title at Landscape Structures, and how long have you been with the company? Scott Roschi – Creative Director – 10 years, 6 months.
How did you get interested in playground equipment design? What specialized training do you have?
What has been one of your favorite themed playground projects to design? Being the creative director, I get the opportunity to collaborate with our design team on projects large and small, but one of my favorites is an epic inclusive play project for a community in Iowa. The design is loosely based on the area’s signature grain silos, but with a very modern twist. The three towers, reaching 30-feet into the sky, provide
three very different climbs to three sliding experiences that will excite all who visit this summer when the playground opens to the public. Themes like this that are a little abstract are exciting to me because they allow every visitor, big or small, to use their imagination and determine what the towers are and what the adventure holds for them.
What are one or two your favorite unique playground pieces/equipment you have incorporated into a project? This is a tough one because there are so many pieces to choose from, if I had to pick one, it would be the new We-Go Swing™ because it gives individuals that use wheelchairs the ability to swing without transferring from their chairs. Not only do they get to swing, a sensation that is not easy to achieve while using a chair, they get to do it WITH their friends, siblings and parents, all together. It is so fun to see kids with differing abilities get to experience the same sensations at the same time.
After studying industrial design and exhibition design in college, I spent 10 years developing exhibits and display materials for companies across the country. Designing exhibit spaces for consumer products, industrial products, business to business services, and even large automotive companies. I spent the next 10 years developing products used for modular exhibit designs and displays. During this time, I also had opportunities to design exhibits, wayfinding, and donor areas for children’s hospitals around the country followed by opportunities to collaborate on children’s museums sparked my interest in play design and brought me to outdoor play and playgrounds. Stevens Square Park, Minneapolis
Winter 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 19
What are some of the biggest challenges you encounter when beginning to design or finish a themed playground? Theme playgrounds are challenging because you are always balancing how much of themed elements are enough to tell the visual story of the theme without sacrificing the play value. It’s a balancing act of providing enough themed elements but leaving room for kids’ interpretation.
What is your favorite part of designing a themed playground? Theme playgrounds are fun to design because you get to express so many ideas from project to project. You can be
designing a nautical theme with dolphins jumping out of the water alongside a yellow submarine on one project and the next project is a whimsical castle adventure with dragons and ogres. It’s great designing theme playgrounds because no two days and no two projects are ever the same.
What would be your dream project to design if budget was no limit – NO LIMIT? Something based on your own interests? Growing up in a very small town and in a pretty rural area, I have always built forts. Tree forts, forts on the ground, forts from found objects, or forts from
fallen tree branches and whatever we could pull from the woods. Because of that obsession, I would love to design a playground where there are a variety of forts of differing styles on the ground, in the air, all scattered around the park space. The space would be made up of all these different forts so that kids could visit each space and imagine their own journey. And as a kid who always had diecast cars (Hot Wheels/Matchbox) in his pocket, this playground would also have to have the biggest sandbox at the center of it so that I could build my own cities and roads that would connect one fort to the other fort with elaborate roads taking me and my diecast car from one imaginative adventure to another.
French Regional Park, Plymouth (top left); Taylor Chebet Twitchell Playground, Little Falls (top right); Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, Clarkksdale, MS (bottom)
20 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
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DESTINATION PLAYGROUNDS
CREATING SPACES THAT ATTRACT BOTH RESIDENTS AND OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS By Christopher Johnsen, St. Croix Recreation
Lake Brophy County Park, Douglas County, Alexandria
24 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
WE FREQUENTLY GET REQUESTS FOR DESTINATION PLAYGROUNDS AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS MEANS, WHAT TO EXPECT, OR WHERE TO START. WITH SOME CAREFUL PLANNING WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, A DESTINATION PLAYGROUND CAN BE A FOCAL POINT OF YOUR PARKS AND PLAYGROUND SYSTEM. Destination playgrounds in Minnesota are an important pillar to any community. These playgrounds offer years of play for people within the community and attract others to your area for a day trip or weekend. These outside visitors can even be a good source of revenue to your town! Destination playgrounds are usually multigenerational, inclusive playgrounds with a lot of equipment that is unique to the area, additional amenities (picnic shelter, grills, etc.), or a neat feature like lake/river access or bike trails. Destination playgrounds often include a ‘wow factor’ such as a unique size, shape or height. I receive a lot of questions from communities looking to build a destination playground. Here are a few:
What is the difference between a regular park playground and a destination playground?
Once a community decides they want a destination playground, what happens next?
We see a destination playground as something that people really want to travel to. It’s usually larger in size and sometimes substantially higher off the ground than normal. We find more and more that kids want taller towers and experiences. Bigger structures allow for greater capacity within a smaller footprint. It gives communities a ‘wow factor’. Some destination playgrounds even incorporate custom design elements related to their community.
A lot of the process is the same as a regular playground, but customers should know the budget may be higher – say $100,000-$500,000 for just equipment alone. The process can be a bit longer, too, but worth it in the long run. To start, I recommend looking at the playground site itself, considering elevation and drainage. Some sites have current equipment and other factors that a community wants to keep like a sidewalk or trees, while some customers are starting with a blank slate. This is where adequate surveying is really important.
Staring Lake Park, Eden Prairie
Winter 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 25
How do we choose an equipment manufacturer? You should look for a supplier that can adapt to your destination playground’s goals. Sometimes it’s best to incorporate multiple manufacturers into any given site based on the final design and for diversity in options. A playground designer should have the ability and the technology to put many manufacturers’ products into one playground site.
What if we are on the fence about creating a destination playground? How do we decide? There’s a lot to consider. Destination playgrounds are a big expense and undertaking. They may not be right for every customer at every time, but they do add so much to a community. Not only is it a great space for local residents, but it also brings people in from all over. This
usually also benefits local business and brings really positive PR to a city or county. Destination playgrounds are some of our favorite projects to design, especially when it comes to researching the area and finding key historical elements that set it apart. Plus, the project involves a lot of community stakeholders - from the park board and city or county officials, to residents, end-users, and local contractors who will be working on the job.
LEARNING ABOUT THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH MUSIC - EDUCATIONAL DESTINATION PLAYGROUNDS By St. Croix Recreation & PercussionPlay
A Dakota County playground is helping kids learn about ecosystems through the use of Percussion Play outdoor musical instruments. In late October 2021, Thompson County Park installed a playground themed around pollination to engage children from an early age about the importance of looking after the environment. The playground’s design is based around the life of an ecosystem and how pollination works with the help of insects and animals, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. There are markers for children to find certain aspects of pollination throughout the playground, including finding the ‘yellow pollen grains’ and ‘finding the flowers which help pollination.’ At the center of the playground are flowerthemed outdoor musical instruments. Included are a Minor and Major bunch of Harmony Bells, both in a bespoke red color to resemble the Cardinal Flower. Cardinal Flowers are one of the few plants native to Minnesota with true red flowers and are a striking welcome addition to latesummer landscapes and loved by Hummingbirds. Two ‘posies’ of Harmony Flowers, again in a major and minor chord, were installed in a bespoke vibrant pink to resemble Milkweed, which plays a key role in the wetlands, prairies, savannas, and forests of Minnesota. In addition to being a host plant for monarch butterflies, Milkweed also attracts other butterflies, honeybees, bumblebees, and other pollinators. A Petal Drum tuned to an A-Minor pentatonic scale was included within the design to complement the Harmony Bells and Flowers. Again, made in a bespoke color for the park, this time to resemble a Coneflower, a wildflower native to the prairies of western Minnesota with a long history of medicinal uses by Native Americans. The Petal Drum contains a small yellow Babel Drum encased within the daisy-shaped purple aluminum ‘petals.’ To add further drum percussion to the playground, a trio of Djembes, with their distinct goblet shape were added. Djembes
26 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
with their large ‘heads’ allow multiple beats from low to high to be made, with players able to create unique and versatile sounds simply by hitting or slapping the different areas of the Djembe’s head with their hands. Finally, a Rainbow Cavatina was included. Diatonically tuned, the xylophone’s versatility provides a vast range of expression suited to beginners and experienced musicians alike, making it perfect for the Thompson County Park’s children’s playground. To help budding musicians, the eight-page Music Book was also included, allowing players to simply follow the colors shown on the book which correspond to the colored notes on the Cavatina. “We try to make all of the playgrounds we design fun and educational. Children are like sponges, constantly absorbing information, so helping them learn about our environment while having fun in the playground is always our aim when thinking about the make-up of a playground,” said Christopher Johnsen of St. Croix Recreation. “I knew instantly that I wanted to include the flower-themed musical instruments from Percussion Play because they really help to communicate the story of pollination through the fun of making music!”
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Front row (l to r): Christopher Johnsen, Johnnie Johnsen, Mike Basich Back row (l to r): Keegan Hartwick, Hannah Johnsen
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DESTINATION PLAYGROUNDS
FROM DREAM TO REALITY: WILLMAR’S DESTINATION PLAYGROUND HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE By City of Willmar Staff
28 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
A GROUP OF CITIZENS DREAMED ABOUT CREATING A PLAYGROUND AT ROBBINS ISLAND IN WILLMAR. VISION 2040, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND THE CITY GOT BEHIND THAT DREAM. THEY SET OUT TO BUILD A DESTINATION PLAYGROUND, AND IN THE PROCESS, THEY BUILT COMMUNITY. What initially began as a ‘what if’ idea blossomed into a community-wide effort to construct the one of the state’s and nation’s largest fully accessible playgrounds.
would use it. The playground design came straight from the drawings and ideas of local children. A playground consultant turned these drawings into a master plan and the committee set to work raising the money to bring the plan to fruition. While the project received a major boost from lead donor Jennie-O Turkey Store Inc. with a $500,000 donation, individuals and other local businesses also contributed to help
raise a total of $1.1 million. A portion of those funds now live in a dedicated maintenance fund for the playground at the Willmar Area Community Foundation. With the fundraising goal met in the spring of 2017, the build dates were set for May 16-25, 2017. Despite the Minnesota gamut of weather that ranged from hot and humid to cold rain and mud, the build took place as scheduled and 3,792 community
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In the summer of 2016, that initial idea prompted several community members to come together to form a steering committee which began the snowball effect that would make that idea come to life. The committee brainstormed plans for the playground and decided the best way to involve the entire community was to start with the children who
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volunteers stepped up to bring the final pieces of the puzzle to life. On June 24, 2017, the playground officially opened. “Community leaders saw a vision for Robbins Island and I was honored to be asked to participate in something so spectacular! To do what we did in one year was a roller coaster at times, but in nine days volunteers built an amazing playground for all to enjoy, said Rachel Skretvedt, co-chair of Willmar’s Destination Playground. “In the five years since, I see that we built more than just a playground. We built joy, love and lasting friendships. We built a community.” Nestled into the grassy oak hills of Robbins Island Regional Park, Willmar’s Destination Playground is packed with swings, merry-go-rounds, and draw bridges, all on a soft rubbery flooring.
The fully-enclosed and accessible playground offers a safe and fun place for children of all ages and abilities to play and interact while the surrounding area provides seating and gathering areas for families. Ample parking is available near the playground along with
restrooms and picnic shelter facilities for all to enjoy. The playground has a wide variety of innovative and inclusive features that combine to make it fully accessible and safe. Lighting and cameras were placed and different levels of accessible ramps connecting the tree house, castle, slides, climbing ropes and more were incorporated so everyone can enjoy playing. Elements of the playground were custom-designed with input from area children to depict the culture, history, and area of Kandiyohi County. Community members had the opportunity to purchase personalized fence pickets that were placed around the perimeter of the playground. “This was one of the greatest projects I’ve ever been involved in,” said Kathy Schwantes, co-chair of the Willmar destination playground. “The playground brought our community together during the build and continues to bring people together as they use they use it. It’s been a wonderful blessing! Glad it is being recognized!” While the sheer size and incredible features are certainly impressive, what stands out most about this playground is the community that worked together to create a regional gem that all can be proud of.
30 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
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Children grow and learn about complex tasks, gross motor skills, social interaction, and language development through sensory play. Our new Sensory Play Series brings cognitive, dynamic, and playful learning indoors or outdoors. This attractive, sleek design provides a striking base to any new or existing playground. There are three options to bring sensory activities into the play space with Sensory Play Wall, Sensory Play Ramp, and Sensory Play Platform. Each Sensory Play Series product offers unique experiences for all users. www.fpacompany.com
Mystic Adventure – Meridian Cable Play System The Mystic Adventure offers unlimited play opportunities. The all-angle access, climbers, tunnel and slackline encourage imaginative play and problem solving. “The play value per square foot dollar is one of the best I’ve seen,” said Ryan Hartberg. The Velocity slide and accessible transfer platform complete this oneof-a-kind play structure. www.crs4rec.com
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32 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
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ICE BREAKERS
CREATIVE & INNOVATIVE ICE RINKS & PROGRAMS BRINGING MAPLE GROVE’S REFRIGERATED SKATING LOOP TO LIFE By Patrick Fournier, Stantec
Visitors to Maple Grove’s Central Park would never guess it was the site of a former gravel mine. After decades of transformative planning, the City of Maple Grove was ready for something new—a 45acre park featuring an ice skating loop and interactive aquatic fountain. Stantec worked with lead designers Damon Farber and U+B Architecture to design two amenities for the park, which opened in 2015: an interactive aquatic fountain and ice skating loop. During warmer months, the 2,100-squarefoot fountain provides visitors with an
impressive light and water show. The orchestrated 67 ground sprays along with synchronized multi-colored LED lights provide a visual delight and an opportunity to play in the water for people of all ages. Based on the waterpark lazy river concept, our team designed the first refrigerated skating loop in Minnesota. The 810-footlong refrigerated path brings up to 525 skaters through a varied, meandering landscape—providing thoughtfully designed sceneries to appreciate as they navigate the course. The loop is refrigerated by a network of more than 14
34 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
miles of embedded piping, providing high quality ice for a five-month skating season. For skaters looking for a more traditional skating experience or to simply provide an occasional change-of-pace to skating around the loop, the rink also features an open area large enough to support several friend groups or families. Skaters of all ages and skill levels can find the skating experience they desire.
Custom wood benches integral to the perimeter railing offer oases where skaters can rest without leaving the ice. Ambient lighting and soft background music playing through speakers along the length of the loop set a relaxing mood as users wind their way through the trees. Spectator areas adjacent to the ice offer the opportunity for skaters to interact with loved ones watching nearby.
IN THE KNOW: MAPLE GROVE’S SKATING LOOP’S INSPIRATION & POPULARITY
Both amenities not only change the face of recreation by making skating and water play more accessible, the fountain and skating loop have extended, varied uses. In the warmer months you may see people walking or rollerblading the multi-purpose trail, listening to a concert, or attending an art fair. As temperatures cool, you will still see a crowd at the fountain to take on the impressive light and water show as the focus begins to shift to ice skating.
By Todd Pernsteiner, Pernsteiner Creative Group, Inc.
A Q&A WITH CHUCK STIFTER, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION, CITY OF MAPLE GROVE
Q. What was the inspiration that drove the creation of the Maple Grove ice skating loop? The skate loop was inspired by a loop in Elkhart, Indiana. They have a refrigerated loop that inspired us to explore other such loops. We found similar skate loops and refrigerated skating rinks in Chicago and New York (including Rockefeller Center), and of course The Oval in Roseville. Q. Was the loop always part of the Central Park master plan or was this an add-on? The Loop was always in the master plan but it was not in the original phase. The first phase only included a natural ice rink in an oval shape but during construction we realized the idea of a multi-seasonal park would fall well short of our vision if the ice wasn’t refrigerated. We also became concerned with trying to add a second phase in such a tight high use area of the park that it would disrupt use and create safety concerns for our new park that would discourage our patrons and send the wrong message. Our Board was adamant about doing things right and delivering a quality facility. Q. Were there any construction challenges or delays? Like most projects there are challenges that create delays. We were lucky enough to overcome most and open on schedule.
Winter 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 35
Q. Who/what drove the design of the loop both at the city and with your contractors? The design was inspired by other loops being designed at the same time in Chicago and New York. We had an excellent consultant team of Stantec, who was working on the loop in Chicago and Damon Farber Associates who was the creative lead on the project and of course a passionate Park Board who was deeply engaged in the project. Q. How long did it take to construct – start to finish? We were in the middle of the park construction when we added the refrigeration system and ice maintenance building to the contract. My recollection is that took about 9 months for design and construction. Q. What maintenance is required when the loop is in use? Outdoor refrigerated ice maintenance is not unlike indoor ice maintenance, it requires resurfacing routinely to deliver quality ice. The secret to outdoor ice is to maintain the proper thickness to benefit
from the natural refrigeration and deter the undesirable conditions from the heat, sun and wind. We try to resurface every two hours during busy times which are from 4-9 p.m. daily. The crews also have to shave and flood to maintain the preferred thickness as well as spot repair gouges and thin spots.
ideas to “bank the water” until it freezes. They learned a lot the first few years of ice making. They are experts now. Q. How has the rink been received?
Not much is done to the skate loop during the off season. The system is turned off. We make surficial repairs to benches, railings, gates, and the warming house. Thousands of sharp cutting blades in and out of your doors can do a lot of damage.
Very well! The immediate residents have shared they love the vibrancy the skate loop creates during the winter months. We have had to manage music levels but truly very few complaints. Is it a popular feature with residents? We draw patronage from all over the metro and beyond. Only during the covid pandemic when we were asked to manage the facility to a capacity with a reservation process did we have a few residents request the facility be available to residents only.
Q. Are there maintenance challenges since it’s not a standard outdoor rink?
Q. Do you notice a lot of out-of-town guests using the loop?
Unlike indoor ice rinks, the outdoor surfaces are designed to drain, meaning they have a pitch to their surface. This is only good when you want to get rid of the water which is during the warm nonskating half of the year. During the ice making months this slight pitch creates an interesting challenge to making ice. The crew have come up with some creative
We have noticed out of town guests. The only time we’ve tracked users was when we were taking reservations during the pandemic. We have had numerous positive comments on social media from many outside of town. We are thrilled they chose Maple Grove to spend their entertainment time. Have you tracked that? We have not tracked it.
Q. What type of maintenance is required in the off-season?
MAPLE GROVE ICE LOOP BY THE NUMBERS Annually, the facility averages more than:
40,000 SKATERS
15,000 SKATE RENTALS
$55,000
IN CONCESSION REVENUE Photo by Stantec
36 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
HOLLYWOOD ON ICE
MOVIES ON THE BIG SCREEN AT THE NEW HOPE ICE ARENA By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association
The City of New Hope took the concept of a movie in the park during the summer, and brought the movie indoors during the winter. The City of New Hope has hosted two movies at the New Hope Ice Arena, one in December of 2019 and one in December of 2021. “There were over 130 people in attendance for both the open skate and the movie over winter break in December 2021,” says Aaron Thelen recreation supervisor for the City of New Hope. “The ice arena staff set-up an open skate on the south rink for families before the movie and the Armstrong Cooper Youth Hockey Association (ACYHA) served concessions to those in attendance,” adds Thelen. “We showed the movie Space Jam 2: A New Legacy on a jumbo screen on the north rink.” Thelen explains the funding for the movie and skating event was minimal since the majority of the movie equipment was already owned by the City. ACYHA sponsored the movie license through Swank Motion Pictures to show Space Jam 2: A New Legacy. In 2019, the City of New Hope hosted the movie on New Year’s Eve at the ice arena and showed the movie Aladdin on a jumbo screen on the north rink. In addition, there was open skate on the south rink before the movie. In both 2021 and 2019, it was free to watch the movie, but the open skate beforehand had an entry fee of $4/ person and skate rental was $3/person. “Both of these events would not have been possible without the coordination and partnership between parks and recreation staff and the ice arena staff,” adds Thelen. “Additionally, ACYHA was a huge partner as they paid for the movie license sponsorship, coordinated volunteers to work in the concessions stand, and promoted the event within their organization. The City of New Hope plans to continue this great event by showing various movies on the ice in the future.”
Each year MRPA recognizes agencies for outstanding achievements. The City of New Hope received a MRPA Awards of Excellence for projects completed in 2019 for the Movie at the New Hope Ice Arena in the category of programming and events. Congratulations again to the City of New Hope on this award.
Winter 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 37
WHEELCHAIR CURLING: FROM NEWBIES TO POSSIBLE PARALYMPIANS Story and photos by Amy Felegy, SW News Media (Article dated June 3, 2021. Reprinted with permission.) To curl, you need stones, a broom, and a few other pieces of equipment to help you stay warm and not slip. For some curlers, the only other thing they really need is their wheelchair and delivery stick. Mid-April, Team USA won gold in the World Wheelchair Curling B-Championship in Finland, qualifying them for the 2021 World Wheelchair Curling Championship in Beijing this fall. If they reach the top seven or higher slots of the 12 teams, it’s off to the 2022 Paralympic Games. It’s the first time in USA Wheelchair Curling Team history it won a gold medal in the championship, says Team USA curler and 2018 Paralympian Steve Emt. “(This) was the most important competition for us as Team USA so we can actually have a chance into the Paralympics,” says Oyuna Uranchimeg, Team USA athlete
and Minnesotan. “Of course, everyone wants to be in the Paralympics, so it’s very important.”
‘I CAN DO THIS’ Both Emt, from Connecticut; and Uranchimeg, from Burnsville, periodically meet with their team at the Chaska Curling Center to practice. Emt says the space is “one of the best in the country.” “We’re blessed to be able to do what we do and come to Chaska,” Emt says. Half a decade ago, Uranchimeg didn’t even know what curling was. Now, she’s hoping for a shot at the top. “I just wanted to give it a try and here I am thinking about Paralympics,” says Uranchimeg.
It would be her first go as a Paralympian after being on Team USA — which includes her, Emt, Pam Wilson, Matt Thurns and David Samsa — for the last three years. Emt has been on the team for seven years after being approached by a Paralympic trainer while on vacation. “‘With your build, I can make you into an Olympian in a year,’” he remembers the trainer saying. “I’m like, ‘Hey, I’ll try this out.’ I’m like, ‘I can do this. This is something I can do.’”
CURLING FOR ALL In early May, Chaska Curling Center Manager Jeff Isaacson says a boy who uses a wheelchair visited the center while the USA Wheelchair Curling Team was practicing.
“I CAN’T GET ON A TENNIS COURT AGAINST SERENA WILLIAMS — I’LL GET SMOKED. BUT I CAN GET OUT HERE WITH THE BEST ABLE-BODIED CURLERS IN THE WORLD, AND I CAN BEAT THEM.” - STEVE EMT, TEAM USA CURLER AND 2018 PARALYMPIAN 38 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
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HALF A DECADE AGO, URANCHIMEG DIDN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT CURLING WAS. NOW, SHE’S HOPING FOR A SHOT AT THE TOP. “The family was excited to see this and inquired more about curling possibilities. We hope to get him on the ice soon,” says Isaacson, in an email. Team USA Deaf Curling has used the facility before, as well as a group of local deaf curlers who play in the regular league, according to Susan Marek, who works in software operations and customer service at the center. “Curling is a sport that can be accommodating to many physical limitations,” Marek says. “While you’re used to seeing people in a low lunge position sliding along the ice and gracefully delivering a rock out of their pointer finger, they are able to use a delivery stick so they can push the rock from a higher position.” That works especially well for people with certain disabilities. The Chaska Curling Center has delivery sticks and wheelchair ramps on hand to help everyone enjoy the game. Matt Dolan has been a curling instructor at the center for four years now. He interacts with all sorts of people, which is part of why he loves the job. “We see such diversity that comes through,” Dolan says. “We work with people as young as 6, 7 years old, up to 90 years old, and the experience is always pretty much the same in that it is all about having fun. So people come and they always leave with a smile on their face and they’ve experienced something brand new.” Beyond the stones gliding across the ice and the noises they make when crashing into each other (one of the things she first
loved about curling), Uranchimeg loves the community. “You can all play together as a team with different people,” she says. “Anybody with a wheelchair can roll in and throw a stone. Not every sport has that.” “I can’t get on a tennis court against Serena Williams — I’ll get smoked,” Emt adds. “But I can get out here with the best able-bodied curlers in the world, and I can beat them.” When he started curling seven or so years ago, there were maybe 10 curlers in the country who he knew used wheelchairs. Now, he says there are probably 50 or 60. “Anybody can do it,” Emt says. “I wish I found this sport 20-plus years ago when I had my accident. I’d be a six-time Paralympian by now.”
GOING FOR GOLD Uranchimeg describes what it was like bringing home gold last month in Finland. “It was just incredible,” Uranchimeg says, though adding she would have been happy with any of the top three awards.
The team’s most important goal, they agreed, was to qualify for the Beijing championship this fall. “If we were in the finals, even if we got the bronze medal, we would have been fine,” she says. Emt thinks back through that April day. At the start, things were going well: They’d won the first six games, then lost two. The team needed to win the last one against Italy to get into the top three — and there was a “good chance” the team could’ve been cut from that bracket, he says. It came down to the second-to-last shot. Italy missed. “We were in. I just lost it. I want this so bad for my teammates. I’m the only Paralympian returning on the team and the whole experience is absolutely life-changing,” Emt said. “I was sobbing tears of joy — it was absolutely icing on the cake.” The team’s 12 members will try out for the team, five of them going to Beijing’s world championships. There’s a lot of hard work to put in during the next few months, including meeting monthly to practice inbetween strategy calls. Then? Emt’s prediction: “We go to the Paralympics.”
2022 PARALYMPIC UPDATE Team USA’s Paralympic Wheelchair Curling Team was announced in December 2021. The team includes: Skip Matthew Thums, vice skip Steve Emt, second David Samsa, lead Oyuna Uranchimeg and alternate Pam Wilson. They will compete starting March 3, 2022.
40 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
COUNTRY’S LONGEST SKATE PATH IS IN MINNESOTA WARROAD BREAKS RECORD FOR AMERICA’S LONGEST SKATE PATH
Christmas and used them to line the path, delineating the snowmobile trail on one side, and the groomed cross country ski path on the other side. Community members wasted no time lacing up their skates and strapping on their skis to try it out! These neighbors, now dubbed the Riverbender Crew, received requests to extend the path to the homeowners on the other side of the car bridge and then even further beyond the train bridge. This little path soon grew to 2.26 miles! That is longer than 59 standard ice rinks stacked end to end! Businesses on the north side saw the opportunity to bring skaters to their establishments and requested the crew plow a path to them as well, which extended the path to a total of 2.5 miles. Equipment sponsorships by Ironhide Equipment and Polaris greatly improved the path maintenance efforts, and donations from the community provided the means for another power broom and pumps to flood the path. In December of 2020, at the prompting of a teenage daughter, three neighbors in Warroad, MN decided that with school and sports canceled they would plow a 3/4 mile path along the riverbend to connect their two river rinks. The idea grew and they continued plowing a path to Doc’s, the local river rink that is open to the public. They received a donation of unsold trees after
The Riverbend Skate Path is just beginning it’s second season and is already making waves in the media – it’s been covered in articles and stories across the region and nationally. Learn moere about the path at www.warroadcommunitypartners. org/riverbend-skate-path
HIPP HIPP HOORAY!
STATE’S OLDEST INDOOR ICE ARENA, “THE HIPP” , REACHES HISTORIC MILESTONE The focal point of the Eveleth hockey community is the beloved old Hippodrome, or better known as the “Hipp”. The Original Hippodrome structure at 230’ x 150’ with seating for 3,000 spectators was built of wood by Mayor Essling in the 1920’s at a cost of $50,000 for the powerful Eveleth Reds hockey team, in the United States Amateur Hockey Association. The first game in the Hippodrome was on January 1st 1922 before a packed house where the Eveleth Reds defeated the Duluth Hornets 10-6. The structure in the 1920’s was referred to as the “Madison Square Garden of the Northland”. In 1938 the original Hipp was renovated with brick-replacing all of the wood walls, a new lobby was also added at this time to the southside of the building
that is still in place. In 1938 additional construction led to more seating, new locker rooms installed in the basement, and all of the original steel beams and trusses were renovated the cost for all of the repairs, additions in 1938 was $150,000 (5 times the cost of the original building’s cost in 1920!) Until 1950 the Hippodrome relied on mother nature to help make good ice since the ice was “natural ice”. In 1950 refrigeration, concrete flooring, and artificial ice made it’s way into the Hippodrome. In 2002 four new locker rooms were added, along with 2 new coaches rooms. The old “concrete boards” were replaced with more modern era boards that are commonly used in NHL rinks today.
Winter 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 41
THANK YOU 2022 MRPA CORPORATE MEMBERS! ATE Recreation ateinstallations.com
HGA hga.com
Oertel Architects, Ltd. oertelarchitects.com
B32 Engineering Group b32eng.com
Hiway Credit Union hiway.org
Premier Polysteel premierpolysteel.com
Bituminous Roadways Inc. bitroads.com
Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. hkgi.com
Bolton & Menk, Inc. bolton-menk.com
Horizon Commercial Pool Supply horizonpoolsupply.com
Push Pedal Pull Exercise Equipment pushpedalpull.com
CBS Squared cbssquared.com CivicRec civicplus.com Commercial Recreation Specialists, Inc. crs4rec.com
ISG is-grp.com
RJ Thomas/Pilot Rock pilotrock.com
iZone Imaging izoneimaging.com
Rock Hard Landscape Supply rockhardmn.com
Johnson Fitness johnsonfitness.com
Safety First Playground Surfacing LLC safetyfirstplayground.com
Custom Builders Inc. custombuildersmn.com
Kraus-Anderson krausanderson.com
Custom Manufacturing Inc. custommfginc.com
Landscape Structures playlsi.com
DF / Damon Farber Landscape Architects damonfarber.com
LHB, Inc. lhbcorp.com
Discount Playground Supply discountplaygroundsupply.com Finnegan Playground Adventures LLC fpacompany.com
RJM Construction rjmconstruction.com
Midwest Playscapes Inc midwestplayscapes.com Minnesota Wisconsin Playground Inc. mnwiplay.com
Sport Court North sportcourtmn.com Sports Lighting Authority sportslightingauthority.com SRF Consulting Group Inc. srfconsulting.com St. Croix Recreation stcroixrec.com Stantec stantec.com
MOTI Sports motisports.com
Taylors Falls Recreation taylorsfallsboat.com
GGLeagues ggleagues.com
MSA Professional Services, Inc. msa-ps.com
Turman Artwork Company adamturman.com
Gyms for Dogs NEW gymsfordogs.com
Musco Sports-Lighting musco.com
H+U Construction hu-construction.com
Northland Recreation, LLC northlandrec.com
Hansen Thorp Pellinen Olson Inc. htpo.com
Nystrom Publishing nystrompublishing.com
Flagship Recreation LLC flagshipplay.com
Ultimate Playgrounds ultimateplaygrounds.com USTA Northern northern.usta.com Webber Recreational Design webberrec.com WSB & Associates, Inc. wsbeng.com
ADVERTISER INDEX
Bituminous Roadways.......... 21
ISG............................................ 29
Northland Recreation......... 30
St. Croix Recreation..............27
Commercial Recreation Specialists............................... 31
Landscape Structures....... IBC
RJ Thomas/Pilot Rock.............9
Webber Recreational Design....................................... 11
Bolton & Menk......................... 4
Flagship Recreation........... IBC Gyms for Dogs................. 32-33
Johnson Fitness.......................8
Minnesota Wisconsin Playground............................. 33
Minnesota Festivals & Events Association..............................17
42 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
RJM Construction.................. 21 Safety First Playground Surfacing...............................IFC Sport Court North.......... 24-25
Ultimate Playgrounds......... BC
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Northfield Promise Playground at the Northfield Community Education Center Northfield, Minnesota
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